Is your thyroid the smoking gun behind your symptoms?

Is your thyroid the smoking gun behind your symptoms?

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Do you or someone you know suffer from a thyroid condition? If so, you may be aware how big of an impact this small gland can have on the body.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the lower part of your neck. Its primary role is to produce the hormones, thyroxine (T4) which is the inactive form, and triiodothyronine (T3), the active form. T4 is first produced by the thyroid and then sent out into the body to be converted into T3.

T4 is first produced by the thyroid and then sent out into the body to be converted into T3.

Through these hormones, the thyroid then works to instruct and regulate important systems in your body. These include your body’s energy balance (regulating your weight), heat production (keeping your body temperature ideal) and nutrient metabolism (absorbing and processing the nutrients in your diet so your cells can use them).[¹]

So if the thyroid is so important, what happens when issues arise, and it can’t produce the right amount of thyroid hormones? 

When balance becomes chaos 

Triggered often by nutrient deficiencies, stress, infections, and even pregnancy, there are two main conditions associated with alterations to thyroid function:

• Hypothyroidism – when the thyroid produces less T3 and T4 than the body needs, leading to the body’s metabolic rate to slow. This is also referred to as an underactive thyroid.
• Hyperthyroidism – when the thyroid produces too much T3 and T4, stimulating and increasing the body’s metabolic rate above healthy levels. This is also referred to as an overactive thyroid.

While both conditions share some similarities in their presentations, there are also hallmark signs and symptoms that denote whether someone may suffer from one thyroid condition over the other. Examples of these symptom profiles include:

However, while these symptoms can occur with an under and/or over active thyroid, they can also be symptoms of a myriad of other conditions. So before you go blaming your thyroid, I recommend seeking the advice of a Healthcare Practitioner, as they will be able to elucidate if your thyroid is the true cause of your symptoms. They also have access to an extensive thyroid testing to confirm this, plus a full suite of natural interventions to address the underlying cause, and support your thyroid directly.

Nutritional TLC 

Some of the interventions used in correcting thyroid imbalances are key nutrients that the thyroid needs to create T3 and T4, and protect it from any damage that can occur if the body is inflamed or unwell. This foundational thyroid support is comprised of: 

• Iodine: Thyroid hormones contain the mineral iodine as part of their chemical structure.[⁹]  If a person’s iodine intake is too low, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to take up more from the blood (called a goitre), highlighting the importance of adequate iodine status in your body![¹⁰]  Food sources include egg yolk, seaweed (ideal for sushi-lovers), oysters and scallops.
• Tyrosine: An amino acid, tyrosine is another structural component of thyroid hormones. [¹¹]It is therefore important to ensure you are eating enough each day from protein-rich foods, such as animal protein, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy protein.
• Selenium: This mineral is required to convert the inactive T3 into active T4. This conversion process also causes a natural level of oxidative stress within the thyroid gland, with selenium working to prevent this from damaging the thyroid tissue.[¹²]Brazil nuts are a particularly rich source of this

If a person’s iodine intake is too low, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to take up more from the blood (called a goitre), highlighting the importance of adequate iodine status in your body!

 Time to Think About Your Thyroid? 

Given the scope and impact that your thyroid has on the metabolic processes within your body, it should come as no surprise that dysfunction, whether over or under activity, will have a far-reaching impact to your health. If you’ve noticed changes in your weight, skin, hair and energy levels aligned with the list above, this may be a good time to talk with a Practitioner to evaluate whether your thyroid needs some extra care and attention.

[1] Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Chiamolera MI, Pazos-Moura CC. Wondisford FE. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis. Compr Physiol. 2016 June;6(3):1387-428. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c150027. 

[2] Kyriacou A. Practical Guide to Obesity Medicine. Philadelphia (US): Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2018. p. 49-57. 

[3] Kyriacou A. Practical Guide to Obesity Medicine. Philadelphia (US): Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2018. p. 49-57. 

[4] Burman KD, McKinley-Grant K. Dermatologic aspects of thyroid disease. Clin. Dermatol. 2006 July-Aug;24:247-255. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2006.04.010. 

[5] Burman KD, McKinley-Grant K. Dermatologic aspects of thyroid disease. Clin. Dermatol. 2006 July-Aug;24:247-255. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2006.04.010. 

[6] Burman KD, McKinley-Grant K. Dermatologic aspects of thyroid disease. Clin. Dermatol. 2006 July-Aug;24:247-255. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2006.04.010. 

[7] Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Chiamolera MI, Pazos-Moura CC. Wondisford FE. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis. Compr Physiol. 2016 June;6(3):1387-428. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c150027. 

[8] Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Chiamolera MI, Pazos-Moura CC. Wondisford FE. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis. Compr Physiol. 2016 June;6(3):1387-428. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c150027. 

[9] Carvalho DP, Dupuy C. Thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Mol Cell Endicrinol. 2017 January; 458:6-15. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.038. 

[10] Wardlaw GM, Hample JS. Perspectives in nutrition. 7th Edn. New York (US): McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc; 2007. p. 443-445.

[11] Carvalho DP, Dupuy C. Thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Mol Cell Endicrinol. 2017;458:6-15. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.038. 

[12] National Health and Medical Research Council. Selenium. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. Canberra, ACT: National Health and Medical Research Council; 2014.

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